News Details

On March 13, 2026, the Ministry of Environment of Taiwan (MOENV) announced a draft amendment proposing stricter mercury control measures for dry batteries. This will strengthen the domestic implementation of international mercury management standards under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. 

The draft revision updates Taiwan’s Regulation on Restrictions of Manufacturing, Import, and Sale of Dry Batteries. It introduces tighter mercury limits, expands the scope of regulated button cell batteries, and adjusts transitional compliance arrangements for industry stakeholders. 

Key Highlights 

• Mercury content limit for button cell batteries reduced from ≤5 ppm to ≤1 ppm.  

• Zinc-air button cell batteries are newly included in the regulated battery categories. 

• Alignment with global mercury control requirements under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. 

• The new compliance framework will be effective from July 1, 2026. 

• Transitional provisions allow the continued sale of existing compliant stock. 

Background 

The draft amendment is issued under Article 21 of Taiwan’s Waste Disposal Act and has been published by the Ministry of Environment (MOENV). It reflects Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen chemical substance control and reduce mercury emissions from consumer battery products throughout their lifecycle. 

The revision also aligns with broader international regulatory trends that focus on mercury reduction and environmentally sound management of hazardous substances. 

Major Regulatory Changes 

The proposed amendment introduces several key updates: 

• Addition of zinc-air button batteries as regulated “specified batteries”. 

• Removal of previously permitted uses of mercury in certain button cell applications. 

• Harmonization of mercury and cadmium content limits across battery categories. 

• Revision of Appendix Table 1 (heavy metal content limits and implementation schedule). 

Transitional Measures & Enforcement 

To ensure a smooth regulatory transition, the draft provides several transitional arrangements: 

• Products manufactured or imported before the effective date may continue to be sold. 

• Previously issued compliance confirmation documents remain valid until they expire. 

• Certain transitional provisions apply until July 1, 2026. 

• Enforcement and inspection activities are governed by the Waste Disposal Act and administrative procedure regulations. 

Public Consultation 

Stakeholders and industry participants may submit comments within 60 days from the publication date of the draft notice. Submissions are handled by the Resource Circulation Administration under the Ministry of Environment (MOENV).